Osceola County Stadium

Last updated

Osceola County Stadium
Osceola County Stadium main.JPG
Circa 2004
Osceola County Stadium
Location631 Heritage Park Way
Kissimmee, FL 34744
Coordinates 28°17′54″N81°21′50″W / 28.29833°N 81.36389°W / 28.29833; -81.36389
Owner Osceola County
Operator Orlando City SC
Capacity 5,400
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Opened1984
Renovated2003, 2019
Tenants
Osceola Astros (FSL) 1985–1994
Kissimmee Cobras (FSL) 1995–2000
A-Sun Tournament 1998–1999
Gulf Coast League Astros (GCL) 2009–2016
Houston Astros (MLB) (spring training) 1985–2016
Florida Fire Frogs (FSL) 2017–2019
Orlando City B (MLSNP) 2020, 2022–present

Osceola County Stadium is an outdoor sports venue located in Kissimmee, Florida, part of the wider Orlando City SC Training Ground at Osceola Heritage Park. [1]

Contents

Originally a baseball park, [2] it was converted into a soccer-specific stadium by Orlando City SC in 2019 to house the club's MLS Next Pro reserve team Orlando City B ahead of the 2020 season. It had previously served as the home field for the Class A Florida State League's Kissimmee Cobras (1995–2000), Osceola Astros (1985–1994) and Florida Fire Frogs (2017–2019).

Renovations

The Osceola County Stadium and Complex underwent a significant renovation in 2003 at a price of US$18.4 million [3] The renovation increased seating capacity, upgraded the press box, improved the clubhouses, and added "Autograph Alley" which is a popular feature of spring training events.

In May 2019, the Florida Fire Frogs accepted a half-million-dollar buyout from the county to leave at the end of the 2019 season. The stadium will be redeveloped to be part of a larger 20-acre (8.1 ha) training complex at Osceola Heritage Park for Orlando City SC of Major League Soccer to house its senior MLS team, USL League One reserve team and Development Academy. As well as the stadium, the training ground will also include four practice fields - three natural grass and one artificial turf - a fitness, training and recovery center; a players’ lounge; meal room and a film room as well as 30,000 square feet (2,800 m2) of office space for working staff and facilities to support media operations. [4] [5]

Other uses

The Houston Astros of Major League Baseball used the site for spring training between 1985 and 2016. The Astros' lease with the ballpark ended in 2017. The Astros and Washington Nationals moved into The Ballpark of The Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach in February 2017. [6]

The Osceola County Complex was also home of the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring where many hopeful future major league umpires went to learn the trade.[ citation needed ] Additionally, it hosts numerous amateur baseball events throughout the remainder of the year in conjunction with the United States Specialty Sports Association, Triple Crown Sports, World Baseball Federation, and Promotion Sports.[ citation needed ]

The venue hosted the 1998 and 1999 Atlantic Sun Conference baseball tournaments, won by Florida International and Jacksonville, respectively. [7]

In the mid-1990s Osceola County Stadium was planned to be the home of the yet-to-be named Central Florida team, a charter franchise of the United League (UL) which was a planned third league of Major League Baseball (MLB). [8]

Osceola County Stadium hosted the Johnsonville American Cornhole League (ACL) Championships in 2018. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida State League</span> Baseball league in Florida, US

The Florida State League (FSL) is a Minor League Baseball league based in the state of Florida. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 until its demotion to Single-A following Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganization of the minor leagues. The league temporarily operated for the 2021 season as the Low-A Southeast before reassuming its original moniker in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kissimmee, Florida</span> City in Florida, United States

Kissimmee is the largest city and county seat of Osceola County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 79,226. It is a Principal City of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2020 population of 2,673,376. The Census Bureau defines an urban area with Kissimmee as the principal city, which is separated from the Orlando urban area. The Kissimmee–St. Cloud, FL urban area had a 2020 population of 418,404, making it the 100th largest in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">USSSA Space Coast Complex</span>

USSSA Space Coast Complex is a baseball stadium and 13 diamond multi-sports facility in Viera, Florida, owned by Brevard County, Florida. Under its original name, Space Coast Stadium, it served as the spring training facility for the Florida Marlins (1994–2002), Montreal Expos (2003–2004), and Washington Nationals (2005–2016) and as the home field of the Brevard County Manatees (1994–2016). After a full year of renovations, it officially reopened in 2017 with its new name as a baseball/softball venue – part of a new multi-sport complex operated by the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA). Since 2017, it has been the home field of the USSSA Pride women's professional fast-pitch softball team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al Lang Stadium</span> Sports stadium in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida

Al Lang Stadium is a 7,500-seat sports stadium along the waterfront of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, United States which was used almost exclusively as a baseball park for over 60 years. Since 2011, it has been the home pitch of the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL Championship soccer league.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hammond Stadium</span> Baseball field

Hammond Stadium is a baseball field located in the Lee Health Sports Complex in South Fort Myers, Florida, United States. The stadium was built in 1991, and underwent major renovations in 2014 and 2015.

The Stadium at the ESPN Wide World of Sports is a baseball stadium located at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in the Walt Disney World Resort. The stadium was built in 1997. It was most recently the home of the Rookie-league GCL Braves, until they moved to CoolToday Park in North Port.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex</span> Sports complex in Walt Disney World

The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is a 220-acre (89 ha) multi-purpose sports complex located at Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida, United States, near Orlando. The complex allows families to combine tournaments and competition with a visit to vacation destinations in the area. The complex includes nine venues and hosts numerous professional and amateur sporting events throughout the year.

Coastal Florida Sports Park is a multi-sport complex located in Cocoa, Florida. Coastal Florida facilities include outdoor baseball, football, soccer and lacrosse fields, an indoor multipurpose field, batting cages and a weight room. The complex was the spring training home for Major League Baseball's Houston Astros for 21 seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Russell Memorial Stadium</span> Baseball stadium in Clearwater, Florida, U.S.

Jack Russell Memorial Stadium is a baseball field in Clearwater, Florida. It opened as Jack Russell Stadium in 1955. It was the spring training home of the Philadelphia Phillies Major League Baseball team from 1955 through 2003. Since 2017, it has been home to the Clearwater High School and St. Petersburg College baseball teams.

Baseball City Stadium was a stadium located in Davenport, Florida that was in use from 1988 to 2002. It was a portion of the Boardwalk and Baseball theme park. The two facilities adjoined at the interchange of Interstate 4 and Route 27, about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Orlando. The facility had five practice fields in addition to the stadium. It was primarily used for baseball and was the spring training home of Kansas City Royals prior to the team moving to Surprise Stadium in 2003. The ballpark had a capacity of 8,000 people.

Orlando, Florida has a history of major events in sports. It has had a considerable measure of success in minor league sports as well, with teams winning several minor league championships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sports in Florida</span>

The U.S. state of Florida has three National Football League teams, two Major League Baseball teams, two National Basketball Association teams, two National Hockey League teams, two Major League Soccer teams and 13 NCAA Division I college teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida Complex League Astros</span> Minor league baseball team

The Florida Complex League Astros are a Rookie-level affiliate of the Houston Astros, competing in the Florida Complex League of Minor League Baseball. Prior to the 2021 season, the team was known as the Gulf Coast League Astros. The team plays its home games in West Palm Beach, Florida, at the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. The team is composed mainly of players who are in their first year of professional baseball either as draftees or non-drafted free agents from the United States, Canada, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and other countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orlando City SC</span> American professional soccer club based in Orlando, Florida

Orlando City Soccer Club is an American professional soccer club based in Orlando, Florida. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference. Orlando City began play in 2015 as the 21st franchise in MLS, succeeding the USL Pro team of the same name. In doing so they became the first MLS team in Florida since the Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny both folded following the 2001 season. The team plays in downtown Orlando at Inter&Co Stadium, which it owns and operates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orlando City B</span> American soccer team

Orlando City B is an American soccer club that began play in 2016 and currently plays in MLS Next Pro. Owned by Orlando City SC and based at the Orlando City training facility in Kissimmee, the club plays its home games at Osceola County Stadium.

The 2016 Houston Astros season was the 55th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise in Houston, Texas, their 52nd as the Astros, fourth in both the American League (AL) and AL West division, and 17th season at Minute Maid Park. They entered the season as a wild card qualifier with a second place finish in the AL West, losing to the eventual World Series champion Kansas City Royals in the American League Division Series (ALDS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cacti Park of the Palm Beaches</span> Baseball park in West Palm Beach, Florida

CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, formerly called The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, is a baseball park located in West Palm Beach, Florida. The stadium has a capacity of 6,500 people in fixed seats with room for 1,000 more on the outfield berm. The stadium hosts the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals Major League Baseball teams annually for spring training. It also hosts the Florida Complex League Astros and the Florida Complex League Nationals of the Rookie-level Florida Complex League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida Fire Frogs</span> Minor league baseball team

The Florida Fire Frogs were a Minor League Baseball team of the Florida State League from 2017 to 2020. They were located in North Port, Florida, and served as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Atlanta Braves.

References

  1. ↑ "Orlando City SC Unveils Official Training Ground at Ribbon Cutting Ceremony". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  2. ↑ Cavender, Chris. "Welcome to the Osceola County Stadium!". OsceolaStadium.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Houston Astros". SpringTrainingOnline.com. Archived from the original on November 30, 2010. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  4. ↑ Jackson, Ken (May 31, 2019). "Orlando City confirms it's bringing MLS, developmental training facility to Heritage Park; Fire Frogs sign deal to leave after this season". Osceola News-Gazette . Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  5. ↑ Reichard, Kevin (May 31, 2019). "Fire Frogs to Depart Osceola County Stadium at End of Season". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  6. ↑ Castillo, Jorge (February 28, 2017). "Nationals christen their new spring home with a walk-off win". The Washington Post . Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Atlantic Sun Recordbook - Baseball" (PDF). AtlanticSun.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  8. ↑ Turner, Tim (August 18, 1995). "Baseball League Picks Kissimmee". Orlando Sentinel . Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  9. ↑ "American Cornhole League Comes to Kissimmee". Experience Kissimmee. January 25, 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.